Mr. Gibson (for
himself and Mr. Schrader) introduced
the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Agriculture,
and in addition to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within
the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Rural Electrification Act of 1936, and for
other purposes.

in subsection (a), by striking loans
and loan guarantees and inserting loans, loan guarantees, and
grants;

(2)

in subsection
(c)—

(A)

in paragraph (1),
by inserting , and may make grants, after loans;
and

(B)

in paragraph (2), by inserting , and
in making grants, before under paragraph (1);

(3)

in subsection (d),
by adding at the end the following:

(8)

Additional
process

The Secretary shall
establish a process under which an incumbent service provider which, as of the
date of the publication of notice under paragraph (5) with respect to an
application submitted by the provider, is providing broadband service to a
remote rural area, may (but shall not be required to) submit to the Secretary,
not less than 15 and not more than 30 days after that date, information
regarding the broadband services that the provider offers in the proposed
service territory, so that the Secretary may assess whether the application
meets the requirements of this section with respect to eligible
projects.

;

(4)

in subsection (e),
by adding at the end the following:

(3)

Requirement

In considering the technology needs of
customers in a proposed service territory, the Secretary shall take into
consideration the upgrade or replacement cost for the construction or
acquisition of facilities and equipment in the
territory.

;

(5)

by redesignating
subsections (k) and (l) as subsections (l) and (m), respectively, and inserting
after subsection (j) the following:

(k)

Matching
grants

(1)

In
general

The Secretary may make a grant to an entity for a project
with respect to which a loan or loan guarantee is made under this
section.

(2)

Amount

(A)

In
general

The amount of the
grant shall not exceed 10 percent of the cost of the project.

(B)

Match
requirement

The Secretary may not make a grant to an entity for a
project unless the entity has made a binding commitment to the Secretary that
the entity will provide for the project, from non-Federal sources, an amount
equal to the amount of the
grant.

;

(6)

in subsection (l)
(as so redesignated)—

(A)

by striking
paragraph (1) and inserting the following:

(1)

Limitations on
authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretaryto carry out this sectionsuch sums as may be necessary for each
of fiscal years 2013 through 2017, to remain available until expended. Of the
sums made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year—

(A)

70 percent shall
be available for the cost of loans and loan guarantees under this section;
and

(B)

30 percent shall
be available for grants under this
section.

;
and

(B)

in paragraph
(2)—

(i)

in
the paragraph heading, insert loan and loan guarantee before
funds; and

(ii)

in
subparagraph (A), by inserting for loans and loan guarantees
before under this subsection; and

(7)

in subsection (m)
(as so redesignated), by striking 2013 and inserting
2017.